During the summer of 2008, my family attended most of the local running club’s Thursday night cross country series. The events are held in Salem’s central park and comprise a 5K, 3K, 1mile, and 500m kids run. Pam and I would take turns either racing or watching the kids. Then we’d try to coax Megan into running the kids fun run.
That summer, I think Megan attempted the run twice. In her first attempt, Megan successfully completed the 500 meter loop around the baseball field. Then, two weeks later, she earned her first career DNF about 100 meters into the race. She crumpled into a ball on the grass–kicking and screaming that she didn’t want to do it anymore. No one really knows what happened that day, but Megan is a shy girl and she just couldn’t stand having people watching her. She just did not want to be the center of anyone’s attention. After the race, we consoled her and told her that she never had to run it again if she didn’t want to.
But not one to give up, Megan decided that she’d had enough of that silly failing stuff. Last Spring, Megan decided that she hadn’t quite got her fill from racing and decided to enter Salem’s Awesome 3000. It’s a great event designed to encourage kids to be active. Together, we ran one lap in the Willamette University Stadium in front of hundreds of people. She was a little bit scared to have so many people looking down on her from the stands above. But she finished the run, without tears, and was ecstatic to receive her finishing medal. She’s already been talking about this Spring’s Awesome 3000 and she’s frequently mentioned that she wants to run a mile with me some time.
Hearing my daughter talking about wanting to be active is music to my ears. I’ve stated many times that what I want more than anything is to have an active and healthy family. I believe that by setting good examples for our children, Pam and I have laid a really good foundation for keeping our kids active. Sure, Megan likes TV and computer games as much as any kid. But we keep close tabs on the amount of “screen time” that she gets and we try and diminish the importance of TV by encouraging her less sedentary activities such as dance, soccer, and yes, running.
It’s been said that happiness and good behaviors are contagious. It’s also been said that happiness comes from within. I’m happy that Megan has learned to like being active and I’m ecstatic that she learned it from her parents. It makes all the hard work of transforming who I was into who I am totally worth it.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
That is so true. I gave a devotion today in our teacher’s meeting about the influential positions that we all are in. keep encouraging her and your family! This blog has been pretty influential as well…keep going!
.-= seth´s last blog ..Feb 16th and the Giveaway Begins =-.
That is wonderful that Megan is getting active. I find it’s really tough to pull the kids away from video games and tv time. Although in our school system in Canada they have a certain number of fitness minutes per week, and so the fitness happens at school too. It really is wonderful how the endorphins and good feelings spread.
This is exactly what I’m striving to do with my children. Right now I have a 2 year old son and a 2 month old daughter. One of my biggest motivators is my children – I want them to see me getting in shape and living an active lifestyle, and hopefully that will rub off on them. When they get older, I look forward to hiking with them, playing baseball, football, soccer, whatever. The main thing is that the whole family is active together.
.-= Brandon´s last blog ..Learning to stop grazing =-.